The Hit List: New San Francisco Restaurants To Try Right Now

"Sleepy West Portal is having a moment thanks to some hot new openings, first with Elena's and now Khao Tiew. Like Elena's, this modern Thai spot is filled most days of the week, mainly with groups of friends packing into the dining room with ‘70s Thai ads and movie posters on the walls. The tom yum seafood hotpot at Khao Tiew is more than enough reason to keep coming back—it’s sour, tangy, just the right amount of creamy, and comes in a mobile hotpot that’s warmed via flame, so it’ll never get cold. And the duck breast panang curry should also get your attention—it’s got tender duck and a thin but still flavorful curry with a zing of makrut lime. They only take reservations for groups larger than six, but you can add yourself to the waitlist on Yelp before you head over. " - julia chen 1, ricky rodriguez